How long have you been living in Thompson?
Three years. [I came from] Fort McMurray and before that Labrador City in Labrador. I guess three years in Thompson itself but almost 20 years in the Canadian north.
What do you do for a living?
Never had a public sector job until I came to Thompson. Always in industry, mining, industrial services, Komatsu Equipment, stuff like that. [Now] I’m the manager of Northern Workforce Development Centre. Basically, the Northern Workforce Development Centre is to provide industrial, employment based focus training through industry and the service industry.
Why do you want to be on city council?
I want to help. I’ve never run for city council, I never thought I would ever aspire to put my name forward. I’ve got a lot of experience, 30 years in the industry. I think we need jobs, lots of them. I think I can help make some of those things happen and work as team player for city council.
What is the biggest local issue you want to address if you’re elected?
Jobs … if you were to ask me what is the most important thing, I think giving people that confidence to stay and remain locally and giving them a start … and then it’s a journey and help them on that journey. So I’m very fortunate and lucky that I have that ability to help people and I’m at that point in my career where it’s awful nice and fun to give back.
Why should someone vote for you over the other candidates?
I don’t have the rich history that some of the other candidates have, but I think I’ve touched a lot of people positively. I’ve been on several boards, I’ve been active in ringette, I’m active for the Manitoba [Winter] Games, my wife did volunteer work for the Boreal Discovery Centre. So we’re out there in the community, we’re making a difference. I’ve got two young daughters that are going to go through high school at some point. I’d like to think that [the election] is a test to whether I’m impacting.
Anything else you want to add?
Don’t just check a box because my name is there. Hopefully, I’ve touched enough people that I’m worthy to get in there.
